Birmingham, June 14, 2026: In a stunning and dominant display of batting and bowling, Team India Women scripted a commanding 64-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan Women in Match 6 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, played at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, England. India posted a challenging total of 170/6 in 20 overs before Deepti Sharma’s historic 5-wicket haul skittled Pakistan out for just 106 in 17 overs. The win gave India a perfect start to their T20 World Cup campaign, continuing their unbeaten record against Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup history. A notable controversy arose when Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s captain, skipped the traditional pre-match handshake with her Pakistani counterpart during the toss — a moment that sparked widespread discussion across social media.
India’s Batting: How India Posted 170/6
India’s innings was built on solid partnerships across the top and middle order. Opener Smriti Mandhana set the tone with a confident knock at the top, while Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh provided the crucial late-innings acceleration. Richa Ghosh was particularly explosive in the final overs, smashing 34 runs off just 17 balls with four boundaries and a six in her last 8 legal deliveries. Her whirlwind innings propelled India from an expected total of around 150 to a formidable 170/6 after 20 overs. The final six overs produced a remarkable 60 runs, completely transforming the trajectory of India’s innings. Pakistan’s best bowler Fatima Sana finished with 2 wickets for 33 runs.
Deepti Sharma Creates History: Highest Wicket-Taker in Women’s T20 History
The bowling performance was nothing short of historic. Deepti Sharma produced the spell of her career, picking up 5 wickets for just 10 runs — figures of 5/10 — that devastated the Pakistan batting lineup. With this stunning haul, Deepti Sharma surpassed all previous records to become the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 International cricket history, an achievement celebrated wildly by the Indian dressing room and fans watching at Edgbaston and across India. Sadia Iqbal was Pakistan’s best with the ball, taking 1 wicket. Pakistan’s top order offered little resistance under pressure, and they were bowled out in just 17 overs, 106 runs short of their target. Muneeba Ali top-scored for Pakistan.
Harmanpreet Skips Handshake: What Happened at the Toss?
One of the most talked-about moments of the match happened before a ball was even bowled. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur skipped the traditional post-toss handshake with Pakistan Women’s captain, a gesture that was immediately noticed by commentators and fans worldwide. While neither the BCCI nor the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) issued an official statement on the matter, NDTV Sports confirmed that Harmanpreet had declined to shake hands during the toss. The moment went viral on social media within minutes, with opinions divided sharply between those who saw it as a political statement and those who viewed it as a breach of sporting etiquette. It recalled similar tensions from previous India-Pakistan matches on the global stage.
Match Scorecard Summary
India Women: 170/6 in 20 overs | Top scorers: Richa Ghosh 34 (17 balls) | Pakistan’s bowling: Fatima Sana 2/33, Sadia Iqbal 1 wicket.
Pakistan Women: 106 all out in 17 overs | Muneeba Ali top-scored | India’s bowling: Deepti Sharma 5/10 (best figures), Sadia Sharma 5/10.
Result: India Women won by 64 runs.
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham, England | Date: June 14, 2026 | Tournament: ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Group A, Match 6.
Conclusion: India’s Dominance Continues
India’s crushing victory over Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 opener sends a clear message to the cricketing world: this Indian Women’s team is a force to be reckoned with. Deepti Sharma’s historic record, Richa Ghosh’s explosive hitting, and Harmanpreet Kaur’s tactical leadership all combined to produce one of India’s finest performances in Women’s T20 cricket. India will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming group stage matches as they target a maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title. The tournament continues in England through July 2026.